O Holy Night Palatine IL

O Holy Night

Yes Virginia

Wise Guy Records, 2000

REVIEW BY: Christopher Thelen

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 12/21/2000

It has actually gotten to the point where I look forward to theChristmas season. Not for the presents, not for the parties - andsurely not for the snow. (I write this after Chicago has had twosignificant snowfalls in three days - bring me the head of Perry"Let It Snow!" Como.)

No, I love this time of year because it means the release of thelatest Christmas CD from Delaware-based Yes Virginia, a band whosepraises I've been singing for over a year now. Paul Janocha andcrew have built up a significant following since starting this sideproject in 1997, taking the carols we all know and love and givingthem a slightly harder edge.

O Holy Night, their latest release, demonstrates that theband has proven themselves to be more willing to take chances withthe source music, and though this formula bites them once or twice,the group has scored another hit.

Mario Padovani has settled in nicely since being added to theband in 1999 as their keyboardist; listen to him whipping out aKansas-like riff on "Coventry Carol" and try to deny that this is awell-executed version. You can't. Padovani's influence on this andsongs like "The Holly And The Ivy" seems to push his bandmates tonew levels.